SOP for Deepavali celebrations expected to be finalised by this week, says Ismail Sabri

 

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. -filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: The standard operating procedures (SOP) for the Deepavali celebrations are expected to be finalised by this week, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Senior Minister (Security) said the first draft of the SOP was discussed at the National Security Council (NSC) special meeting last Friday.

"The NSC is scrutinising the proposed SOP and I believe improvements are being made.

"The NSC and the Health Ministry need to analyse the matter further as the SOP will be different for localities placed under the enhanced movement control order (MCO), conditional MCO or recovery MCO," he said during his daily briefing on Monday (Nov 2).

Ismail Sabri said he expects the set of SOP will be finalised within this week.

"We will announce it once it is finalised," he added.

Asked on proposals to have the tabling of Budget 2021 conducted online given the spike in Covid-19 cases, Ismail Sabri said it could not be done as it will be in direct violation of the Constitution and Parliament's standing order.

"For example, the tabling, debate and subsequent vote for the Bill must be done in the Dewan Rakyat. However, we have imposed stricter SOP for those attending the Parliament's meetings," he added.

The SOP includes MPs from Sabah must undergo quarantine before entering Parliament while all MPs are required to go for swab tests three days before entering the Dewan Rakyat.

"Each MP can only bring two officers to Parliament and both of them must undergo swab tests.

"The duration that MPs spent in the Dewan Rakyat has also been reduced. For example today, the Parliament sitting ended at 1pm," Ismail Sabri said. - Star